The delay in Congress revamp is because party president Sonia Gandhi is in a quandary over how to present the right mix of old and new blood to face the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2004 general election, according to a party leader.

"Madam [Gandhi] has included herself for the responsibility of the party's defeat [in the recent elections]," he said. "It is collective responsibility so there is no question of anybody trying to bail her out or deflect attention, as is being reported in the media."

Reports said many leaders had quit the All India Congress Committee in order to allow Gandhi to overhaul the party.

The Congress leader said that every party member, whether young or old, knew that despite the electoral setbacks Gandhi was irreplaceable.

He indicated that since those vocal in the party like Kamal Nath, Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, Ambika Soni, Ahmad Patel and Mukul Wasnik, among others, were predominantly 'young' and perceived as constituting her inner circle, Gandhi was faced with a piquant situation -- whether to carry them along or distance them by giving them different responsibilities.

He indicated that their proximity to the Congress chief and the negative results of the assembly elections had triggered 'muted noises' about the need for her to go in for leaders with a mass base.

According to him, veteran party leaders who had proved their mettle but were sidelined under Gandhi's presidentship are tipped to get a look-in.

Similarly, leaders like former Congress chief minister Digvijay Singh's experience will be requisitioned, as and when required, he pointed out.

The former CM had resolved not to fight polls for ten years and devote himself to party work if he lost the election [which he did].

Another problem facing Sonia is to ensure that she gets the caste equations right, which is something that the BJP is diligently doing.

While Uma Bharati, an OBC, was projected by the BJP high command as chief ministerial candidate, Sonia caved in to relentless pressure by Singh, an upper caste Thakur, that the Congress high command leave its electoral campaign to him.

The Congress drubbing in Madhya Pradesh seems to have taught the party an appropriate lesson with Gandhi quickly appointing senior state party leader Subhash Yadav, an OBC, as the chief of the local unit.